Container



July 30, 1940.

N. SNELLING CONTAINER Filed July 21, 1937 l NVENTOR Mcfioz 46 ATTORN EYPatented July 30, 1940 PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER Nicholas Snelling,Jackson Heights, N. Y.,assignor of one-half to George E. Loder, UpperMontclair, N. J.

Application July 21, 1937, Serial No. 154,715

9 Claims.

This invention relates to containers and particularly to devices of thisclass used in packing merchandise for sale, in what is commonly referredto as package goods, and the object of the 5 invention is to provide amore economical method of forming or cutting a blank used in theconstruction of a box or container from a sheet of suitable material soas to eliminate substantially all waste, and thereby materially reducethe cost of manufacture of the box or container; a further object beingto out two or morebox forming parts from a rectangular section orportion of a work sheet, and in so assembling the parts as to facilitatethe formation of a box therefrom; the parts being assembled in suchmanner as to form a substantially conventional blank used in theconstruction of boxes under known methods; and with these and otherobjects in View the invention consists in a box or container of theclass specified, which is constructed in accordance with the methodhereinafter more fully described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate partsof my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters ineach of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of one form of blank which I employ.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the two parts of the blank shown in Fig. l inassembled position, preparatory to making a box or container thereof.

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of a container 35 made from the deviceshown in Fig. 2, on a reduced scale.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing another form ofconstruction.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show different methods of assembling the separate partsof the blank shown in Fig. 3 preparatory to forming boxes therefrom.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing another form ofconstruction.

Fig. 8 illustrates the method of assembling the parts from the blankshown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 1, 3 and 7, showing another form ofconstruction.

Fig. 10 illustrates an assemblage of the parts of the blank shown inFig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figs. 1, 3 7 and 9, showing another form ofblank; and, v

Fig. 12 shows the assemblage of the separate parts of the blank shown inFig. 11.

It will of course be understood that my invention is adapted primarilyfor use in the construe tion of boxes or containers which are employedin large quantities in packing food products or merchandise of variouskinds and classes, in which there is a large volume in sales, such forexample, in the packaging of various cereals,

crackers, soaps, cakes and confections and, in fact, any other kind orclass of merchandise. In other words my invention is not intended fortheconstruction of more or less special boxes or containers requiringspecific characteristics and which are usually sold at a relatively highprice.

There has been an aim or endeavor to reduce the cost of containers orboxes of the character described in which a small percentage of savinghas been effected, and these small savings have 15 saving but to effecta saving of from ten to thirty 20:

percent which is far in excess of anything of its kind. In theaccompanying drawing a few methods of carrying my invention into effectare illustrated.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a rectangular blank of sheet material which iscut on the line IE to form separate parts I6 and IT, the part I6 beingscored to form three walls of a box or container l8, l9 and 20; the walll8 having a folding flap 2| and the wall IS a folding flap 22. The partI! is scored and foldable to form three walls 23, 24 and 25; the wall 23having three foldable flaps 2t, 21 and 28; the wall 24 having a foldableflap 29 and the wall 25 foldable flaps 30 and 3|.

In assembling the parts It and I! preparatory to forming a box orcontainer thereof, the flap 29 is first secured to the free edge of thewall 20, as seen in Fig. 2, after which the flap 2| may be secured tothe side edge 24a of the wall 24 thus forming the four side walls of abox. The flaps 30 and 3| may then be secured to the walls l8 and 20respectively, and the flap 22 secured to the wall 25 or the edge 25athereof which will complete the formation of the bottom of a box, thecover of which will consist of the wall 23 and the three flaps orflanges 26, 21 and 28 thereon which may be sealed in position upon thewalls l8, l9 and 20 respectively, after the material to be packed hasbeen placed in the box or container.

At this time, it will be understood that, if it is desired to provide afreely open cover for the container, the flaps or flanges 2B, 21 and 28may be arranged inwardly of the walls [8, l9 and 20, and the corners ofthe flaps may be beveled to permit this operation. On the other hand, ifa sealed package is to be provided, these flaps or flanges willpreferably be arranged externally and secured in position as indicatedin Fig. 2a. of the drawing, which shows an assemblage of the containerformed from the structure shown in Fig. 2 but indicating the ends of theflaps beveled in order to clarify the illustration.

It will also be understood that in utilizing my invention in conjunctionwith automatic packaging machinery, the box will be assembled and packedin a continuous operation, while it is preferred to glue the variousparts or flaps in position, it will also be apparent that other forms offastening means may be employed.

With the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be apparent thatthe only waste formed. in a rectangular sheet will be the two notchesappearing at the top of the blank in Fig. 1. This type of constructionwill present a large saving over the present method of constructingboxes or containers of the kind under consideration, in the mosteconomical methods of blanking in accordance with conventionalpractices.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing, I have shown two triangular box parts 32 and33 cut from a rectangular blank, which will show a little more loss inmaterial as will appear from the notched and recessed edges but whichwill still provide a material saving over the present methods ofconstruction.

The part 32 is scored to form three walls 34, 35 and 36, the wall 34having three flaps 31, 38 and 39 and the wall 36 a single flap 40. Thepart 33 is scored to form three walls 4 I, 42, and 43; the wall 4Ihaving one flap 44, the wall 42 a single flap 45 and the wall 43 twoflaps 40 and 41. The parts 32 and 33 may be assembled in a number ofdifferent positions, one with respect to the other in the formation ofboxes or containers, and three methods of assemblage are shown in Figs.4, 5 and 6.

The method of attaching the several assembled parts shown in Figs. 4, 5and 6 will be apparent to those skilled in the art without any specificdescription thereof; it being noted that in Fig. 4, the flap 40 issecured to one side edge of the wall II. In Fig. 5, the flap 4! issecured to one side of the wall 36, whereas in Fig. 6, the flap 45 issecured to one side of the wall 35.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing, Ihave shown an L- shaped box part 48 and astraight box part 49 fashioned from a rectangular blank, whichconstitutes the combination of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 3.Fig. l employs two straight parts, Fig. 3 two L-shaped or V-shaped partsand the latter L-shaped and straight parts. In Fig. 7, a still lesssaving is effected but nevertheless this saving is again considerablymore than the savings in conventional methods.

The part 48 is scored to form four walls 50, SI, 52 and 53, whereas thepart 49 is scored to form two walls 54 and 55. The wall 50 has two flapsor flanges 5G and Fall, the Wall 52 a flap 58, the wall 54 has one flapB and the wall 55 has three flaps BI, 62 and 63.

In Fig. 8 of the drawing, I have shown one box assemblage consisting ofthe parts 48 and 49 in which the flaps 59 is secured to one side of thewall 54. The result of this assemblage is substantially similar to theassemblage shown in Fig. 4 except for the location of certain of theflanges.

In Fig. 9, I have shown three box parts 04, 65 and 60 cut from arectangular blank, and the saving in this construction will besubstantially the same as that shown in Fig. 3. The part 04 is scored toform two walls El and 68, the wall 61 having two flaps 09 and I0, andthe wall 68 two flaps II and 12. The part 65 is scored to form two wallsI3 and 14, the wall 13 having one flap 15, and the wall I4 having twoflaps I6 and IT. The part 66 is scored to form two walls 18 and I9, eachhaving a flap 80and 8I.

In Fig. 10 of the drawing I have shown one method of assembling theparts I54, and 00, in which the flap I5 is secured to the wall 68 andthe flap TI is secured to the wall 78. The result of the assemblage inFig. is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 4 and 8, except for thelocation of certain of the flaps.

In the forms of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, the wallsof the box parts are illustrated as being square inform, whereby theresulting box will be in the form of a cube. It will, of course, beunderstood that the shape of the box may be varied to produce the oblongor irregular styles, at least within certain limits, and while lessersavings will be effected in boxes of this type, the savings willnevertheless be relatively high over the known methods.

In Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawing, I have shown one method ofconstructing an oblong box or container, in which two parts 98 and 99are formed from a rectangular blank, the part 98 being scored to formthree walls I00, WI and I02. The part 99 is scored to form three wallsI03, I04 and I05. The narrow side of the walls I00, IOI and I02 areprovided with foldable flap or supplemental wall parts I06, I01 and I08respectively, the walls I00 and I02 having flaps or flanges I09 and IIOrespectively.

In assembling the parts 08 and 99, the fiap I I0 is secured to one wideside of the wall I04 so that the wall I04 forms a companion wall to thewall IOI, forming the wide side of a container, the walls I00 and I02form the narrow side and the Walls I03 and I05 form the top and bottomwalls of the container and overlap, and are secured to, the flaps orsupplemental walls I 06, I01 and I08. At this time, it will also beunderstood that where it is not desired to utilize the parts I06, I01and I08 as supplemental walls, the same may be made much narrower thuseffecting a greater saving in the material used and, in Fig. 11 of thedrawing, I have shown in dot and dash lines I I I, the out which may bemade in reducing the sizes of said parts I06, I01 and I08.

With the several forms of construction shown, it will be understood thatall of the intersecting walls of the resulting box or container will besealed by the closure flaps employed so that the containers may be usedfor supporting granular merchandise or products without danger of lossthrough the container. It will also be apparent that my invention alsolends itself to printing or lithographing of the container parts, or thesheet from which said parts are formed, and the inner surfaces of saidparts may be treated in any desired manner to adapt the same for manyuses, especially in packaging certain kinds of merchandise or foodproducts and in preventing the saturation of the walls of the container.In this connection, it will also be apparent that various kinds of innerwrappers may be used in accordance with conventional practices.

It will be apparent that the disclosures in the accompanying drawing aremerely illustrative of certain of the forms of construction or methodsof blanking sheet material to efiect material savings in the cost ofpackaging merchandise and many other forms of blanks may be utilized toeffect greater or lesser savings but all based upon the fundamentalprinciple of my invention, which resides in economically blanking theparts from a sheet of material and then in re-arranging the parts andsecuring them together to facilitate the formation of a box or containertherefrom, and in so arranging the folded flaps or flanges on the boxparts as to effect a seal and closure between the adjacent walls of theresulting box or container. Also a different arrangement of the flapsmay be provided on the separate parts of the various blanks without inany way, or any material way, increasing the consumption of paper, andin this manner the separate box parts of the blanks may be assembled innumerous manners.

It will also be apparent that the box may be made from any suitablethickness of light cardboard or similar material, commonly employed inthe construction of boxes or containers of the class underconsideration. When printing or lithographing is to be employed directlyon the container, better grades of material will naturally be employed,whereas when wrappers or labels are employed cheaper grades of materialwill be used.

With devices such as shown in Figs. 11 and.l2 of drawing and otherdevices of this kind, it will be understood that the central box partmay be formed from independent blanks or work sheets and not cut orformed from a single work sheet. In such case, it will also appear thatsome of the box parts need only be scored and will not require any diecutting.-

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A container of the class described comprising top, bottom and sidewalls, said container being formed from independent box parts, each boxpart including predetermined walls of said container, said box partscollectively being fashioned from a single rectangular blank and beingrearranged and secured together in forming said container, flaps onpredetermined walls of one of box part overlapping predetermined wallsof another box part, and abutting edges of said box parts when fashionedin said blank interfitting with each other thereby minimizing the wasteof material in said blank.

2. A container of the class described comprising top, bottom and sidewalls, said container being formed from independent box parts, each boxpart including a plurality of foldably related walls of said containerand flaps on edges of predetermined walls, said box parts collectivelybeing fashioned from a single rectangular blank and fitting together toinclude substantially the entire area thereof, said box parts being rearranged and secured together, said flaps overlapping edges ofpredetermined walls in forming said container, the top wall of saidcontainer integrally and foldably joining one of said box parts, and thefree edges of said top wall having foldable flaps forming a closure forsaid cantainer.

3. A container of the class described formed from an assemblage ofindependent box parts, said box parts being cut from a singlerectangular blank, and adjacent edges of the parts when fashioned insaid blank interfitting with each other thereby eliminating waste of thematerial of said blank, said box parts being arranged to form in saidassemblage a straight row consisting of four walls of the resultingcontainer, and the other walls of said container extending laterallyfrom at. least one of said first named Walls. 1

4. A container ofthe class described formed from an assemblage ofindependent box parts, each of "said box parts including at least twofoldably related walls of said container, and at least one of said partshaving foldable flanges on predetermined edges thereof, said box partsbeing fashioned from a single rectangular blank and said parts whenfashioned in said blank interfitting to include substantially the entirearea of said blank.

5. A container of the class described comprising independent box partsfashioned from a single rectangular blank of sheet material, said partswhen arranged in the blank in side by side relationship formingsubstantially the entire area of said blank, each of said partsincluding foldably related walls and projecting foldable flaps onpredetermined edges thereof, a flap on one part being joined to a wallof another part in forming a container blank, and the walls of saidparts when folded one with respect to the other and secured together bythe other of said flaps forming a container having top, bottom and sidewalls,

6. A container of the class described comprising independent box partsfashioned from a single rectangular blank of sheet material, said partswhen arranged in the blank in side by side relationship formingsubstantially the entire area of said blank, each of said partsincluding three foldably related Walls and projecting foldable flaps onpredetermined edges thereof, a flap on one part being joined to a wallof another part in forming a container blank, and the walls of saidparts when folded one with respect to the other and secured together bythe other of said flaps forming a container having top, bottom and sidewalls.

'7. A container of the class described comprising independent box partsfashioned from a single rectangular blank of sheet material, said partswhen arranged in the blank in side by side relationship formingsubstantially the entire area of said blank, each of said partsincluding foldable related walls arranged in a straight line andprojecting foldable flaps on predetermined edges thereof, a flap on onepart being joined to a wall of another part in forming a containerblank, and the walls of said parts when folded one with respect to theother and secured together by the other of said flaps forming acontainer having top, bottom and side walls.

8. A container of the class described comprising independent box partsfashioned from a single rectangular blank of sheet material, said partswhen arranged in the blank in side by side relationship formingsubstantially the entire area of said blank, each of said partsincluding three foldably related walls arranged in angular relationshipand projecting foldable flaps on predetermined edges thereof, a flap onone part being joined to a wall of another part in forming a containerblank, and the walls of said parts when folded one with respect to theother and secured together by the other of said flaps forming acontainer having top, bottom and side walls.

9. A container of the class described comprising independent box partsfashioned from including four foldably related walls arranged in angularrelationship, the walls of said parts when folded one with respect tothe other and secured together by the other of said flaps forming acontainer having top, bottom and side walls.

NICHOLAS SNELLING.

